Air Magic v. Fire Magic - Guild Wars Forums

Dred Skullord · Apr 08, 2005, 03:04 PM // 15:04

I am playing an El/Me, but I am debating between Air and Fire magic. I like Air magic's ability to knock down and blind foes. The lightning is also good against armored enemies. Aside from setting foes on fire for a few seconds, does Fire magic offer anything better than Air magic? Thanks.

sk8er3577 · Apr 08, 2005, 03:11 PM // 15:11

well from wut i have read..it seems that fire magic generally does more dmg..and i think it usually does dmg/sec...and it can also do dmg to a group..so me personally would choose fire over wind..BUT..ive also never played i would jsut pick it over it cuz of wut i have read

Tall Dude · Apr 08, 2005, 03:16 PM // 15:16

I would also choose fire magic just because in any RPG I've always had fire magic because it is usually stronger!

Xma · Apr 08, 2005, 03:22 PM // 15:22

In short:

In PVE, fire magic can be really good, as monsters will stand dumbly in your Firestorms, and other "lasting" AoE spells.

In PVP, fire sucks, as opponents have some brains (well, not all, but the good ones), and therefore they won't stick together for your AoE's neither stand inside them for long.
So air is much better for PVP.

Tall Dude : I'm sure this signature breaks every rule ever conceived about signature lengths...even breaks common sense, if you ask me...

HotSnack · Apr 08, 2005, 03:30 PM // 15:30

Like Xma has said, Fire is good in PvE where it's impossible to fire off a spell and not hit several enemies at once. Fire loses some of its effectiveness in PvP as experienced players are quite prepared against Fire attacks due to just how popular they are.

Then again, don't underestimate the ability to set people on fire, setting someone on fire is one of the most powerful (and horrific) DoT's out there.

BlackArrow · Apr 08, 2005, 03:49 PM // 15:49

I really like the damage output of fire but I'm moving to Air to gain some defenseive skills (Blinding Flash, knockdowns, etc).

Xma: your post about fire is true for Fire Storm and Meteor Shower, but what about Fireball and Phoenix? Those are spells you can't "run out of" and do a large amount of damage.

Nash · Apr 08, 2005, 04:44 PM // 16:44

Air is the winner.

Lansing Kai Don · Apr 08, 2005, 04:49 PM // 16:49

Dred, air is used for a more 1on1 experience and isn't near so helpful when you have more than one enemy (general speaking). Fire, is more popular, that should show you something. As it stands now, fire is more powerful damage maker, air is a more powerful disruptor. So if your going for damage against groups fire, only individual targets air, and disrupting air (if the only choices are air and fire).

Lansing Kai Don

P.S. I find fire more useful personally, but I'm a PvE'er

worthless · Apr 08, 2005, 04:58 PM // 16:58

i think, as others have stated, that air is probably best for pvp

Apr 08, 2005, 05:00 PM // 17:00

Fireball sucks because of the costs for the damage when comparable spells in other lines will blow it away.

Phoenix is ok, but if you want to use it offensively you just end up locked into a build. Fast Casting Mes/Ele plus Imagined Burdened. Combined with the costs of some of the Fire Spells is just too much to give into.

Nash · Apr 08, 2005, 05:08 PM // 17:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lansing Kai Don

Fire, is more popular, that should show you something.

That most people are not very good at the game?

FrogDevourer · Apr 08, 2005, 05:15 PM // 17:15

Quote:

Aside from setting foes on fire for a few seconds, does Fire magic offer anything better than Air magic?

Play a spellcaster against an air elementalist. Get a scary balance warning due to a critical hit from Lightning Orb and you'll understand why lightning is better for PvP. On the other hand, for PvE, I tend to like fire AoE for faster kill.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nash

That most people are not very good at the game?

Ha ha ! Nash is haunted by Cicciro's spirit.

Allmightybob · Apr 08, 2005, 05:17 PM // 17:17

Barrage > Air and Fire

unfortunately

How bad did rangers take a hit from not being able to use conjure (sort of) last beta?

Nash · Apr 08, 2005, 05:19 PM // 17:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrogDevourer

Play a spellcaster against an air elementalist. Get a scary balance warning due to a critical hit from Lightning Orb and you'll understand why lightning is better for PvP.

Spells don't have critical hits. They have no variation in their damage at all.

HotSnack · Apr 08, 2005, 05:27 PM // 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nash

Spells don't have critical hits. They have no variation in their damage at all.

Lightning Orb is a hit or miss projectile, so maybe its one of the few spells that factors in body hits i.e. he got a headshot.

Nash · Apr 08, 2005, 05:43 PM // 17:43

There are no headshots. Well, you can hit the head, but it does thw same damage regardless.

Luggage · Apr 08, 2005, 06:01 PM // 18:01

Except that most people use the headgear that gives 1+ to attribute with lower armour value.

Dred Skullord · Apr 08, 2005, 06:38 PM // 18:38

Thanks for your help. Air does have some group attacks such as Chain Lightning. Is anyone esle planning to play an air magic El/Me?

HotSnack · Apr 08, 2005, 06:44 PM // 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luggage

Except that most people use the headgear that gives 1+ to attribute with lower armour value.

Right, that's one of the reasons why Rangers fighting on higher ground get a damage bonus.

Nash · Apr 08, 2005, 06:45 PM // 18:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luggage

Except that most people use the headgear that gives 1+ to attribute with lower armour value.

Not really, the non-attribute ones have the same AL value.

Apr 08, 2005, 03:04 PM // 15:04	#1
Dred Skullord Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Neverland Ranch Guild: [GBV] www.GuidedByVoices.net Profession: R/Mo	Air Magic v. Fire Magic I am playing an El/Me, but I am debating between Air and Fire magic. I like Air magic's ability to knock down and blind foes. The lightning is also good against armored enemies. Aside from setting foes on fire for a few seconds, does Fire magic offer anything better than Air magic? Thanks.

Apr 08, 2005, 03:22 PM // 15:22	#4
Xma Site Contributor Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Belgium Guild: Idiot Savants	In short: In PVE, fire magic can be really good, as monsters will stand dumbly in your Firestorms, and other "lasting" AoE spells. In PVP, fire sucks, as opponents have some brains (well, not all, but the good ones), and therefore they won't stick together for your AoE's neither stand inside them for long. So air is much better for PVP. Tall Dude : I'm sure this signature breaks every rule ever conceived about signature lengths...even breaks common sense, if you ask me... Last edited by Xma; Apr 08, 2005 at 03:33 PM // 15:33..

Apr 08, 2005, 06:01 PM // 18:01	#17
Luggage Elite Guru Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: sweden	Except that most people use the headgear that gives 1+ to attribute with lower armour value. __________________ "Stercus, stercus, stercus, moriturus sum."

Apr 08, 2005, 03:11 PM // 15:11	#2
sk8er3577 Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Apr 2005	well from wut i have read..it seems that fire magic generally does more dmg..and i think it usually does dmg/sec...and it can also do dmg to a group..so me personally would choose fire over wind..BUT..ive also never played i would jsut pick it over it cuz of wut i have read

Apr 08, 2005, 03:16 PM // 15:16	#3
Tall Dude Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: California	I would also choose fire magic just because in any RPG I've always had fire magic because it is usually stronger!

Apr 08, 2005, 03:30 PM // 15:30	#5
HotSnack Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Feb 2005	Like Xma has said, Fire is good in PvE where it's impossible to fire off a spell and not hit several enemies at once. Fire loses some of its effectiveness in PvP as experienced players are quite prepared against Fire attacks due to just how popular they are. Then again, don't underestimate the ability to set people on fire, setting someone on fire is one of the most powerful (and horrific) DoT's out there.

Apr 08, 2005, 03:49 PM // 15:49	#6
BlackArrow Banned Join Date: Feb 2005	I really like the damage output of fire but I'm moving to Air to gain some defenseive skills (Blinding Flash, knockdowns, etc). Xma: your post about fire is true for Fire Storm and Meteor Shower, but what about Fireball and Phoenix? Those are spells you can't "run out of" and do a large amount of damage.

Apr 08, 2005, 04:44 PM // 16:44	#7
Nash Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sweden Guild: The Cornerstone	Air is the winner.

Apr 08, 2005, 04:49 PM // 16:49	#8
Lansing Kai Don Banned Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Kansas	Dred, air is used for a more 1on1 experience and isn't near so helpful when you have more than one enemy (general speaking). Fire, is more popular, that should show you something. As it stands now, fire is more powerful damage maker, air is a more powerful disruptor. So if your going for damage against groups fire, only individual targets air, and disrupting air (if the only choices are air and fire). Lansing Kai Don P.S. I find fire more useful personally, but I'm a PvE'er

Apr 08, 2005, 04:58 PM // 16:58	#9
worthless Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TX	i think, as others have stated, that air is probably best for pvp

Apr 08, 2005, 05:00 PM // 17:00	#10
Blackace Guest	Fireball sucks because of the costs for the damage when comparable spells in other lines will blow it away. Phoenix is ok, but if you want to use it offensively you just end up locked into a build. Fast Casting Mes/Ele plus Imagined Burdened. Combined with the costs of some of the Fire Spells is just too much to give into.

Apr 08, 2005, 05:17 PM // 17:17	#13
Allmightybob Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Mar 2005	Barrage > Air and Fire unfortunately How bad did rangers take a hit from not being able to use conjure (sort of) last beta?

Apr 08, 2005, 05:43 PM // 17:43	#16
Nash Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sweden Guild: The Cornerstone	There are no headshots. Well, you can hit the head, but it does thw same damage regardless.

Apr 08, 2005, 06:38 PM // 18:38	#18
Dred Skullord Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Neverland Ranch Guild: [GBV] www.GuidedByVoices.net Profession: R/Mo	Thanks for your help. Air does have some group attacks such as Chain Lightning. Is anyone esle planning to play an air magic El/Me?